Page 22 of Reaching Roland

“I asked. Apparently, Roland spends all his time helping out Miss Georgina and her neighbors or with Cameron and Indie and anyone they bring over. Going to LaBelle’s weekly to see you is the first sign of doing something for himself. Throw in his fond amusement at you calling him Daddy, him taking you to dinner Thursday night, the strawberry picking, and…” He shrugged. “Makes sense to me.”

“I guess him calling me shortcake doesn’t help,” I muttered.

“Um, how are you with that? If you really don’t think there’s anything between you beyond friendship, is this messing with your head at all?” he asked hesitantly.

I’d planned to lie and say no, but Will knew me. He’d been here after every breakup and failure, so I doubted he’d buy any bullshit. “A little. But… I’ll get over it. I enjoy spending time with him, and Indie’s not wrong. Roland’s lonely. He doesn’t say it, but I can feel it in my bones.”

Will worried his bottom lip between his teeth. “What do Knight, Ace, and Joshua say?”

My eyes widened at the mention of my three best friends from back home at Little Beach Bay. “I haven’t said a word to them about Roland. You can’t either. Please, Will. They’ll worry about me, but I’ve got this. I promise.” He looked doubtful, and honestly, so was I. Wanting a subject change, I said, “I can’t believe you managed to keep your mouth shut about this for two full hours. I’m impressed.”

He glared at me, then I guess whatever he read on my face convinced him to drop it, and he bounced in his seat. “Right? Like, who am I?”

We both laughed, then I asked him what room he was redoing in their penthouse next. Will was obsessed with interior design, and John was obsessed with giving his boy whatever he wanted. He launched into his newest project, and I settled back in my seat, listening with one ear, while trying to convince myself that I wasn’t anxious to go home and text Roland.

Me:Are you still up, Daddy?

My phone rang immediately, Roland’s name appearing on my screen. “Hello, Daddy.”

“Hello, shortcake. I hope it’s okay I called. I already took my contacts out and crawled into bed.”

What did Roland wear to bed? Since I lived alone, I often slept naked. Did he? I pictured his sexy body spread out under his covers and wondered if he had sexy silver chest hair or what his dic?—

Abort. Abort. Bad, Kenny.“Um. I didn’t realize you wear contacts.”

“I didn’t until about ten years ago. Age is a bitch.”

I snorted. “Oh my Gawd, Daddy. Not the age thing again.”

He chuckled softly, the husky sound in my ear making my dick plump up and take notice. Or maybe that was totally picturing him naked while pretending I wasn’t. “In this case, it’s completely true. At least that’s what my ophthalmologist said.”

“Hm. I’ll let you have that one then, I guess.”

“Did you have fun over at John and Will’s house?”

Roland’s sleepy voice made me yawn, and I headed toward my room to get ready for bed. “I did. We always have a good time together. John made salmon with this creamy horseradish dill sauce and rice, and I took over strawberry tarts for dessert.”

“Mm. That sounds delicious. Did they like your tarts, shortcake?”

“They did. I found the recipe online.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t take strawberry shortcake,” he said with that fond tone that always flustered me.

“I thought about it, but you’ve spoiled me. Yours was the best I’ve ever had.” And that was no joke.

“Good. I’m glad. I’ll have to make it for you again sometime.”

I gulped. “I’d like that.”

“I’d better get to sleep. Tomorrow’s going to be a long day. Before I go, I was wondering, how would you feel about me coming over next Sunday and fixing your gate?”

“Oh, Roland. You don’t have to do that. It’s not a big deal.”

“Maybe not, but it’ll be even less of a deal if I come to repair it for you. You know I enjoy doing that kind of stuff.”

That was true. He’d told me before, but after spending an evening with his family and hearing their stories, I understood why Indie thought Roland should start a handyman business. He’d done so many projects around Miss Georgina’s neighborhood, and he’d smiled as they told me about each one. It was obviously something that brought him joy.

“Are you sure? I don’t want you to work for me on your day off.”

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